Coral Care

Growing Corals in Your Reef Aquarium

Corals transform a saltwater aquarium into a living reef ecosystem. These remarkable animals host symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae that provide energy through photosynthesis, which is why lighting is critical for coral health. Different coral types have vastly different requirements, making species selection and placement essential skills for reef keepers.

Corals are broadly categorized into three groups based on their skeleton structure and care difficulty. Soft corals like leathers, mushrooms, and zoanthids lack hard skeletons and are generally the most forgiving for beginners. LPS (Large Polyp Stony) corals such as hammer corals, frogspawn, and torch corals have calcium carbonate skeletons and larger, fleshier polyps. SPS (Small Polyp Stony) corals including acropora, montipora, and stylophora have the smallest polyps and highest demands for lighting, flow, and water stability.

Success with corals requires stable water parameters, appropriate lighting, and proper placement within the tank. Photosynthetic corals need adequate light intensity (measured in PAR) matched to their species requirements. Many corals also benefit from supplemental feeding, especially LPS species that can capture solid foods. Water chemistry becomes more critical as you advance to SPS corals, with calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium levels requiring regular testing and supplementation.